Dynamic and Predictive Information System and Method for Shipping Assets and Transport

ABSTRACT

The dynamic, predictive information system and method assigns shipping assets (drivers-tractors-trailers) from carriers to transport orders by shippers. Computer databases hold shipping asset data. Specific transport orders are electronically joined to specific driver-tractor-trailer combinations. A search and sort routine produces resulting records based upon proximity, trailer type, proximity of the joined driver-trailer combination, carrier service region and pick-up and delivery date constraints. The sort is by price or performance indicators which are pre-selected shipper ranges matched to historical shipping data from carriers. The system books the carrier, the driver-tractor-trailer combination and the shipper to transport order with an electronic communications phase. In a truck lane scenario, the system joins a specific driver and a specific tractor and a non-specific trailer to a specific transport order. GPS data and electronic shipping document data from PDAs with the drivers is logged into the system and is viewable by the participants.

This is a divisional patent application based upon and claiming thebenefit of patent application Ser. No. 11/151,963, filed Jun. 10, 2008,now pending and the present invention is based upon and claims thebenefit of provisional patent application No. 60/579,594, filed Jun. 14,2004. The contents of Ser. No. 11/151,963 and 60/579,594 areincorporated herein by reference thereto.

The present invention relates to a dynamic and predictive informationsystem and method for assigning shipping assets to goods subject totransport orders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the transportation industry, vehicles transporting goods typicallyare identified as shipping assets. Shipping assets include truckdrivers, tractors, trailers, containers, ships, railcars and airplanes.These shipping assets can sometimes be rearranged such that driversoperate different tractors and the driver-tractor combinations aresometimes coupled to different trailers at different times for differentroutes. In other instances, drivers are permanently assigned tractors.In some of these situations, the drivers may have a financial interestin the tractor which they use to haul loads. Further, in some instances,the drivers, tractors and trailers are permanently combined, linked,joined or associated with each other and are viewed as a singularshipping asset when special transport needs (for example, radioactivegoods or large sized goods such as cranes) must be shipped from point topoint. Special tractors must be coupled to special trailers to haulspecial goods. Sometimes, the drivers must have special skills. One typeof permanently joined driver-tractor-trailer combination is called a“straight truck.”

In any economic environment, it is necessary to efficiently transportand deliver goods from distribution centers, ports, warehouses and otherlocations to retail stores, other warehouses and further ports andairports. The timing and scheduling of shipping assets and thescheduling of those assets to match transport needs of customers is achallenge. About 94% of independent carriers (companies employingshipping assets) have less than 30 trucks. Approximately 20-25% of theseassets, that is, a driver-tractor-trailer combination, travel overroutes without a full load or are completely empty. The transit of emptytrucks is not an efficient use of shipping assets. Further, the matchingof a customer's need to ship goods from point to point within adesignated time frame (both the pick-up day, time and location and thedelivery day, time and location) with available shipping assets at themost reasonable price and/or performance (historical on-time deliverypercentage and/or an absence of delivery/shipment problems) is achallenge. There is a need to provide and manage logistics for thetransport of goods and the efficient use of shipping assets.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dynamic,predictive information system and a method for assigning shipping assetsto goods subject to transport orders.

It is a further object of the present invention to preemptively processand assign shipping assets, that is, drivers, tractors and trailers,available from a plurality of carriers to carry a load of goods subjectto transport orders from a plurality of shippers.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method anda system which is transparent to the carrier and the shipper and thesystem administrator such that the carrier and shipper can identify thelocation of the goods subject to transport and view, on an electronicbasis, electronic shipping documents showing classic events in thehandling of the goods subject to the transport order.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method forelectronically assigning shipping assets and an information systemtherefor which is independent of any hardware operating the computerprogram or employing the electronic method.

It is an additional object of the present invention to providejust-in-time asset assignment of shipping assets to transport orders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The dynamic and predictive information system and method assignsshipping assets (drivers, tractors and trailers) from a plurality ofcarriers to enable the shipment of goods subject to a plurality oftransport orders from a plurality of shippers. A central computermaintains the database with data representing shipping assets whereineach carrier has at least one terminal from which respective shippingassets originate, respective service areas or regions, pricing schedulesand, in some instances, lane routes (specially designated routes) whichare often traveled by truck combinations of a particular carrier. Thesystem and method electronically accepts a specific transport order andelectronically joins a specific driver, a specific tractor, a compatibletrailer for the goods subject to transport. A plurality of carriersparticipate in the assignment of assets. The system electronicallysearches the database and sorts the resulting records based upon closeproximity of the trailer type to the ship from origin location, closeproximity of the joined driver-tractor combination to the ship fromorigin, carrier service region encompassing the ship to destination, andpick-up and delivery date constraints. The sorted list, showing prices,is displayed to the shipper submitting the specific transport order.This display results in a posting of the assets to a specific transportorder. In conjunction with an electronic communication between aselected carrier, typically selected by the shipper submitting thespecific transport order, and the shipper with the transport order, thesystem books and electronically logs the carrier, the associateddriver-tractor-trailer combination to transport order. During theelectronic communication phase, the carrier, driver-tractor-trailercombination and transport order for the goods is considered to bepre-booked. When a specific carrier and shipper agree on all terms andconditions, the transaction is booked. The term “booked” results in alegally enforceable contract. Booked means that the shipping assets areno longer available to be assigned by the system during the pick-up anddelivery times and days. In a truck lane scenario, the system joins aspecific driver and a specific tractor and a non-specific trailer to aspecific transport order. As explained later, in a lane assignment, thecarrier is assumed to have a capable and an available trailer at his orher terminal (the location of various shipping assets). With the use ofglobal positioning system (GPS) units and personal data assistant (PDAs)carried and removably mounted in the tractors and used by drivers, theelectronic information system can monitor the location of the trailer,the driver and also handle electronic copies of the electronic shippingdocuments (bills of lading, warehousing documents, customs documents,etc.). Since the PDA can capture data relative to the electronicshipping documents (signatures, delivery or exception notes, etc.), thedriver and others coming in contact with the goods on the trailer, canannotate the electronic shipping documents on the PDA. This annotationis electronically noted and uploaded from the PDA along with GPS data tothe central computer operating the information system. This GPS data andelectronic document data is associated with the transport order suchthat the carrier and the shipper and the customer having an interest inthe goods under transport can see and view the electronic document andwhereabouts of the goods or load. Government agencies or othersinterested in tracking goods subject to transit may also have access tothis data including electronic documents subject to the transport order.Of course, security codes and passwords are used to limit access to thesystem data to protect commercial interests of the carriers and theshippers and the customers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the present invention can be found inthe detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates an information system showing acarrier database, a shipper database and a results or shipment databaseand various inputs and outputs and processes utilizing in the datatherein;

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates one embodiment of a process routineor program subject to the dynamic and predictive information system andmethod herein;

FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates the available capacity routine;

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates the lane capacity routine;

FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates an example of an administration andbroker routine;

FIG. 6 diagrammatically illustrates an example of a distributed computersystem or one implementation of a system for the information processingmethod herein;

FIG. 7 diagrammatically illustrates a system diagram and a majorflowchart therefor; and,

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C diagrammatically illustrate a data flow chart forone embodiment of the system and method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a shipping information and capacityallocation system, a methodology for the same, typically operable overthe Internet (with interconnected personal computer (PC) system,mini-computers and main frames (in certain situations)), or over acomputer network (LAN or WAN), and various computer programs, computermodules and an information processing systems to accomplish assetallocation and shipment tracking system. In addition to the computerimplementation of the inventive aspects of this invention, a businessmethod is also encompassed herein.

It is important to know that the embodiments illustrated herein anddescribed herein below are only examples of the many advantageous usesof the innovative teachings set forth herein. In general, statementsmade in the specification of the present application do not necessarilylimit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statementsmay apply to some inventive features but not to others. In general,unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in the plural andvice versa with no loss of generality. In the drawings, like numeralsrefer to like parts or features throughout the several views.

The present invention could be produced in hardware or software, or in acombination of hardware and software, and these implementations would beknown to one of ordinary skill in the art. The system, or method,according to the inventive principles as disclosed in connection withthe preferred embodiment, may be produced in a single computer systemhaving separate elements or means for performing the individualfunctions or steps described or claimed or one or more elements or meanscombining the performance of any of the functions or steps disclosed orclaimed, or may be arranged in a distributed computer system,interconnected by any suitable means as would be known by one ofordinary skill in the art.

According to the inventive principles as disclosed in connection withthe preferred embodiments, the invention and the inventive principlesare not limited to any particular kind of computer system but may beused with any general purpose computer, as would be known to one ofordinary skill in the art, arranged to perform the functions describedand the method steps described. The operations of such a computer, asdescribed above, may be according to a computer program contained on amedium for use in the operation or control of the computer as would beknown to one of ordinary skill in the art. The computer medium which maybe used to hold or contain the computer program product, may be afixture of the computer such as an embedded memory or may be on atransportable medium such as a disk, as would be known to one ofordinary skill in the art. Further, the program, or components ormodules thereof, may be downloaded from the Internet of otherwisethrough a computer network.

The invention is not limited to any particular computer program or logicor language, or instruction but may be practiced with any such suitableprogram, logic or language, or instructions as would be known to one ofordinary skill in the art. Without limiting the principles of thedisclosed invention any such computing system can include, inter alia,at least a computer readable medium allowing a computer to read data,instructions, messages or message packets, and other computer readableinformation from the computer readable medium. The computer readablemedium may include non-volatile memory, such as ROM, flash memory,floppy disk, disk drive memory, CD-ROM, and other permanent storage.Additionally, a computer readable medium may include, for example,volatile storage such as RAM, buffers, cache memory, and networkcircuits.

Furthermore, the computer readable medium may include computer readableinformation in a transitory state medium such as a network link and/or anetwork interface, including a wired network or a wireless network, thatallow a computer to read such computer readable information.

The term “database” means all types of data structures whether in flatform, such as a spread sheet, or other forms (such as a matrix of data)or any organized data structure, such that groups of data, associatedwith a single item, such as a truck or carrier asset, are organized intofields or sub-groups such that the group or record for a single assetcan be easily compared or sorted or processed by association to similarsub groups for other asset records. Although one or more databases areidentified herein, persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat a singular database or spreadsheet may be used or multipledatabases may be employed rather then the few discussed in detailherein. Hence, the designation of a Carrier Price database, and aShipping Asset database and a Results database is a conceptual toolemployed herein to explain the dynamic operation of the system as awhole and such designations are not meant to limit the scope of theclaimed invention. A single database with multiple indices may be moreefficient than the separate databases discussed herein.

In the drawings, and sometimes in the specification, reference is madeto certain abbreviations. The following Abbreviations Table provides acorrespondence between the abbreviations and the item or feature.

Abbreviations Table Admin administration Alert electronic message tosystem operator, carrier or shipper ASP application service provider -server on a network bd board cap. available capacity (avail, cap.),dynamic capacity (dyn. cap.), spot capacity (spot cap.) Crr carrier(trucking company, freight forwarder, drayage, railroad, airline etc.)comm. communications, typically telecommunications comp computer CPUcentral processing unit cust'r customer who owns or has rights to thegoods being shipped DB data base DC distribution center, usually, theprimary location of goods to be shipped del delivery location ordestination destin. destination, such as the final delivery point forgoods being shipped or a destination of a leg of a multi-modaltransportation transaction displ display doc document (may be electronicor printed out) edi electronic data input (typically a standard formatelectronic input/output format and data stream and comm. protocol) elec.doc. electronic document, typically a signed PDF doc equip equipment,typically a trailer or means to carry the goods err error, typicallyresulting in an Alert to a party except. exception noted as a problemwith goods being shipped faves favorites Geo Fence a GPS signalindicating that an item is within or is without a defined geographicregion from a known location gov't government or agency inquiry GPSglobal positioning system equipment, transceiver, or signal I/Oinput/output id identify KPI key performance indicators LTL less thanfull truck load of goods mem memory ntwk network as in “comm ntwk” -communications network pgm program PO purchase order prox. proximity,such as xx miles near a zip code or location p/u pick-up location wherethe goods are to be picked up req request rpt report sch search schdleschedule sel select, normally, an input selected by a user Shpr Shipper,the company wanting to ship goods std standard St. state, such as in astate to state route lane, e.g., FL to NY sys system t time Term.primary, initial location of assets, such as trailers, tractors, etc.,used to ship goods tele-com telecommunications system or network URLUniform Resource Locator, x pointer, or other network locator

The primary goal of the method subject to the present invention and theinformation processing system is to find the best match for a shippersending a shipment (represented by a transport order for goods) with acarrier having the shipping assets or capacity to move the shipment,based on individual preferences determined by both parties and using thecarriers' identified price per mile as the tiebreaker.

The key criteria for searching the database, extracting records, sortingthe records and then displaying the selection are set forth in thefollowing table.

Search and Selection Table - Key Criteria Close Proximity of equipment(trailer) to the shipment pick-up location Close proximity of theTruck/Driver combination to the trailer Equipment type (Specific or All)(for example, 53 ft refrig., 45 ft dry, 53 ft) States/Regions Servicedby Carrier Organization Pick-Up and Delivery Date Constraints Days ofService Constraints Sorted by Price or KPI (Shipper selects sortcriteria)

See FIGS. 1 and 2 and the associated description discussed later whichmore fully explains this and other features of the information systemand shipping asset assignment or scheduling method.

Carriers who use the information system, sometimes called “members,”have full use of the asset management functionality of the systemincluding the ability to allocate their assets for the future to makethem available for shipper view and selection for a desired shipment ofgoods. Pricing and performance play an important role in the sorting anddisplay of available capacity information. At the option of the specificshipper interacting with the system after input (manual or automated) ofa transport order to shipping load record, capacity is displayed to theshipper by lowest price or best KPI (Key Performance Indicator). KPI isrepresented based on the history of shipments vs. the number ofexceptions (errors in shipment) that have been logged into the systemfor a specific carrier. The shipper selects one performance level L2-14;one transit time level (an one time delivery ration) L2-H; and one pricelevel. If a price factor is important, Level H, and performance (lack ofexceptions or delivery problems) is not (level L2) and transit time (onetime delivery ratios) is less critical (level M), the lowest pricecarrier is displayed first.

Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Table Performance Low (L2) L1 Med. M2High Transit Time L2 L1 M M2 H Price L2 LI M M2 H

Shipper members using the system have the ability to enter shipments(transport orders for goods subject to transport) either manually orthrough an automated data interface (EDI or web-based input form) topost loads into the system and view available capacity of carriermembers. In addition, shippers have the ability to manage their ownin-house shipping assets or fleets (tractors, trailers, drivers andequipment) by using the system's shipper asset management/routescheduling tools (known as Shipper “B”).

The following table shows various types of shipments based on full truckload.

Shipment Table Shipper - Single pickup to single destination shipment.Shipper - Multi pickup to single destination shipments (line haul orrun). Shipper - Single pickup to multi destination (line haul or run).Carrier in-house shipment. Used to allocated activity for shipments notentered to the system in order to provide future available capacityinformation.

For each shipment record, the status codes listed below are used. Theterms “posted” and “pre-booked” and “booked” are explained, in part, inthis table. The Shipment Entry Input Table is set forth later. The codesform the Status Code Table are associated with each shipment record toshow the status of the record.

Status Code Table - Shipment Record Status # Description Explanation 10Hold Shipment (transport order or shipment record) loaded in system withinvalid data - error code set 20 Posted Shipment Entered into system 30Pre-Booked Shipment with Carrier Selected (shipping asset temporarilywithdrawn from “available capacity”) 40 Booked Shipment after CarrierAccepts 50 En-Route Shipment Currently Moving 52 En-Route-Arrived GeoFence Triggered via GPS device 70 Delivered Shipment Delivered 71Delivered-Pending Shipment Delivered with Dispute or a Dropped TrailerPending Count 72 Delivered-Exception Shipment Delivered with Overages,Shortages or Damages (OS&D) 80 Invoiced Shipment Invoiced by AccountingSys. 90 Completed Shipment Completed 95 Delete Shipment Cancelled byCustomer 99 Cancelled Shipment Cancelled by Sys. Admin.

The following table shows a less than full truckload shipment record.Less then full or LTL truck load shipment records represent unusedcapacity which is difficult to sell or match up with an acceptableshipper.

LTL Entry Table Carrier: WN. TRUCKING Shipper: King Products BOL Number(bill of lading no.) PRO Number (government or agency assigned no.)Shipper PO Number Stop Number Equipment Type Class/NMFC Quantity LoadSize Linear Feet Required Pick-Up Number/Seal Number PricingInformation: Carrier Price Pick-up Information: Delivery Location,address, city, Delivery Date

Data entry methods may vary and may include manual input, electronicinput or automated input such as matching existing inventory controlsystems to the input categories of the present system. Shipper contactdata (name, address, phone, fax, email, etc.) and shipper distributioncenter (DC) data entry is important. A DC is the location where aparticular shipper has a warehouse of goods subject to transport toother locations. New shipment entry may be manual or automated. Thetable below lists typical fields for a shipment record. Pull down menusare used for certain fields, such as equipment or trailer type. Thesystem generally uses zip codes to sort and determine proximity tocertain locations. See FIG. 2 and the associated description discussedlater which more fully explains this and other features of theinformation system and shipping asset assignment or scheduling method.

Shipment Entry Input Table Initial Pick up Information: Pick UpLocation, Address, City/State/Zip Shipment Will be Ready: Date, TimeContact Name/Telephone Number Final Delivery Information: Deliverylocation, Address, City/State/Zip Must Be Delivered No Later Than: Date,Time Contact Name/Telephone Number Shipment Information: Equipment(trailer) Type; Shipment Type

The following tables show typical data entries for carriers havingshipping assets they wish to exploit. The carriers may place shippingassets on the system for all shippers to use or schedule or the shippersmay have “in-house” or fleet trucks used only by the owner-shipper.In-house or fleet trucks are not typically subject to hire by othershippers.

Driver List Table ID Driver Name Terminal of Carrier (crr.) where drivertypically is assigned from Active Y/N PDA Password Calendar

Add/Edit Driver Table Terminal Center Driver's First Name Driver's LastName Dispatch From Address City Driver's Email Address Driver's MobilePhone Number HazMat Certified PDA Unit ID Assigned Commercial Driver'sLicense Driver's Days of Work Independent Contractor Active (Yes/No)

Add/Edit GPS Devices Table  Company, Company ID, Unit ID  TypeManufacturer, Serial no.  Firmware, Mode

Current Lanes and Cost Table  Lane  Start Zip, Start City, Start State End Zip, End City, End State  Expires  Equipment Type  Price Dry, PriceReefer (refrigerator), Price Flat  Lane Cost Dry, Lane Cost Reefer, LaneCost Flat  Miles Willing to Drive Empty at No Charge to Get a Load Preferred Shipper Name  No. Truck

Data may be entered manually or electronically. Further, brokersresolving scheduling issues and pricing aspects are typically employedin the shipping industry. The system can be used by brokers to quicklyschedule available carrier capacity and match that available capacity tothe transport needs of a shipper for a designated load. The system isdesigned to accept electronic data entries are set forth in thefollowing table.

Custom Data Feed Support Table EDI X.12 ASN Support EDI Carrier ShipmentStatus Information and Updates (990, 210, 214) Custom Flat File PurchaseOrder Email Attachment Shipment information (Custom)

Shipment tracking is provided for all carriers, shippers, brokers and tothe system administrators using the information processing system withinput coming from a number of manual and automated interfaces. As eachevent in the handling of the goods subject to transport occurs, ahistorical record is logged and maintained in the system.

Historical Movement Table Informational Changes All Events

The following Booked Shipments Table can be accessed (that is, thedatabase can be searched and a singular or multiple records can beretrieved based upon selection of the field category).

Booked Shipments Table Shipper - Carrier - Run Reference - Stops Pick UpDate - Pick Up - Delivery Date Destination - Carrier Tracking TableCapacity PRO (gov't id), PO, BOL Run (lane), Shipper, Tractor, TrailerOrigin, Destination Status of Shipment (see Table above), Excpt. PostingDate

Shipment Status Table Shipper Carrier Run PRO BOL Activity Shipper Shpr.Acct. Owner Carrier Crr Acct Owner Run, BOL, PRO, Stops, Pick Up Date,Pick Up, Delivery Date Delivery, Broker Details (selection of“details”leads the user into more detailed records of the shipment) ShipmentJournal (log notes for a user, a driver (with PDA), telephone notes fromdriver, etc.) Status

GPS Device Log Table GPS id no.; Crr. id no. Control or Receive MSG(message) Codes; Subcode; Message; Unit id Time, Tracking

Shipment Notes Log Table Company Notes, User, Date-time Created, Contentof notes (“LS shipper Corp. advise me that ..)

Shipment Event History Table Run No. (assigned by sys.-sys. trackingno.), Shipper, Shipment Status, Accepted Date, Pick Up Date, DeliveryDate, POD Received, Invoice Received, Invoice Number, Line Haul Charge,Accessorial Charge, Exceptions

When a shipment encounters a problem, the information processing systemsupports automated and manual exception entry to effectively build ajournal and supplemental journal for the shipment. These entries arenoted above in some of the tables.

Action Items Table (Admin) Shipment ID, Code, Date, Priority Comments:Truck 521 has a Spot Rate for $1.85 per mile from Pilot

Shipping assets (real, currently available or dynamic—not specificallyidentified assets but assets available in the future) within the systemneed to be tied to a home terminal of a carrier or to a DistributionCenter for a shipper. The system handles a hierarchy of organizationsincluding a parent organization to manage the assets and informationrelated to those assets at each terminal (Term) or distribution center(DC). Each child relationship in the organization will not have accessto equal children at their respective hierarchy. Simply, a user can seeall the children or nodes of the organizational tree that are lower thantheir respective login home. Thus a parent user will have the ability toview the entire organization form the top down. The system has securitypassword control and log-in historic data entries to maintain thissecurity of information.

Each Terminal or DC is the controlling home base for all assets. Whenadding or editing an asset, validation of a home terminal/DC isenforced. All assets are required to have home terminal/DC with eachspecific asset having their own specific information that is requiredand validated.

“Capacity” is segregated into “available capacity” and “dynamiccapacity” and “spot capacity.” The primary differences between thesecategories are that spot capacity is unique and is typically not ashipping asset originating from a Carrier Terminal but is a truck on theroad in anon-standard location, such as when a non-tracking truck hasjust off-loaded goods and is now empty. Dynamic capacity is a term usedfor explanatory purposes only and represents a non-specific or anon-identified trailer or other asset that (a) is available but (b) isnot identified with certainty as is all other assets. Drivers, tractors,trailers and other equipment in the system are identified with certaintysuch that the system can issue scheduling reports, email communications,etc. to carry out a booked transport order. A dynamic assignment meansthat the carrier must provide the shipping asset at the terminal.Typically, dynamic capability is used with lane assignments or laneroutes.

Available capacity is defined as a company (carrier or shipper) having athree part combination of driver, tractor and trailer available to movefreight for a specified period of time (start date to end date). Thesystem marries orjoins the driver, tractor and trailer combination. Thefirst step “joins” the driver and tractor through the asset managementscreens. See FIG. 3 and the associated description discussed later whichmore fully explains this and other features of the information systemand shipping asset assignment or scheduling method.

When a shipper enters a shipment into the system the following occurs.The shipper user is directed to the capacity screen to view allcapacities available in the system along with the appropriate pricing tomove this load (previously, the shipper has entered the transport order,see Shipment Entry Input Table above). The Capacity Report Table is setforth below. This view or display of available shipping asset capacitiesuses the postal code or zip code of the pickup location (the firstpickup location if a multi-pickup shipment record) to look for thenearest trailer (proximity record search) (permanent/non-permanenttrailer) matching the equipment type displayed on the capacity “choose”screen. The shipper selects the equipment or trailer or selects “all” orselects one of a trailer type in a pull down menu. Once a trailer isfound or selected by the shipper (see FIG. 1 and Ship Entry Table), thenearest driver/tractor is located to that trailer (proximity search, zipcode based), thus completing the three part combination of adriver-tractor-trailer required to move a shipment. The initial view ordisplay of “capacities available” screen is based on the equipment typeof the shipment thus allowing the user (typically, a shipper) to changeequipment in order to view other options and pricing.

There are 2 major differences in the type of trailer, a Non PermanentTractor/Trailer and a Permanent Tractor/Trailer. Typically most tractorshave the ability to switch the trailer based on needs and the assetsavailable to them at their terminals. These are Non PermanentTractor/Trailers. The asset management tool herein allows for a specifictractor and specific driver to be electronically and automaticallyjoined thus making the driver/tractor available for shipments based ontheir proximity to the trailer regardless of specific equipment. Emailcommunications are used to schedule these assets. With respect toPermanent Tractor/Trailers, straight trucks are permanently attached tothe tractor and can never be disconnected so technically the trailer is0 (ZERO) feet away from the tractor/driver combination, thus this 3 partcombination (driver-tractor-trailer) will always be guaranteed.

The shipper may wish to use a specific carrier or have a favorite groupof carriers. See Carrier Search Table. Further, the carrier or theshipper may want to view an available capacity report in the CapacityReport Table below.

Carrier Search Table Zip Code Radius (in miles) 200 And/Or searchCarrier Name City Equipment

Capacity Report Table State Zip Range Equipment Search Type, EquipmentCity, State, Zip Availability Destination State(s)

When a State-to-State record (lane route) is added to the system by acarrier, the system will display a capacity to any shipper that matchesa shipment pickup and delivery postal codes. In the case of a multi-stopshipment, the first and last stops are considered the pickup anddelivery.

Since in a dynamic assignment mode, the system does not know where atrailer is, the pricing for mileage is calculated like all currentshipments but the trailer location is considered to be at the zip codeof the terminal the lane is assigned. Each State-to-State lane record isrequired to be tied to a specific terminal based on the Beginning PostalCode (zip code). The assumption here is that this is a non PDA/GPSequipped asset within the system thus a trailer move will not becreated. If a dynamic capacity is “chosen” the system will create aunique DRIVER, TRACTOR, and TRAILER three part combination andimmediately assign the shipment to this capacity. Subsequent updateswill require manual entry by the carrier, via EDI or a custom data feed,to provide status updates to the location tracking and status updates.Capacities for additional shipments will continue to appear until theshipping assets allocated has been exceeded for the specified lane. Theformula for this is complex because it takes into account assignmentsand shipments en-route and is continually reviewing pickup and deliveryschedules of active shipments (including overlaps). These aspectsrepresent the dynamic assignment nature of the invention. At no point intime can more assets be committed than allowable. See FIG. 4 and theassociated description discussed later which more fully explains thisand other features of the information system and shipping assetassignment or scheduling method.

Each dynamic capacity is dissolved on delivery and the location of thecapacity is no longer available. The availability comes from the“active” count being decreased by one, thus another capacity will appearagain if a shipment is entered for the beginning postal code of thestate-to-state lane record. The carrier running assets along a specifiedlane route or a shipper seeking to transport goods many times along thesame or similar route may access the lane route tables below.

Lane Inquiry Table Start Zip, End Zip, Miles, Lanes

Current Lanes and Cost Table Lane Start Zip, Start City, Start State EndZip, End City, End State Expires, Equipment Type Price Dry, PriceReefer, Price Flat, Lane Cost Dry, Lane Cost Reefer, Lane Cost FlatMiles Shipper, Numbers of Trucks in Lane

Spot Capacity is the quick method for carriers to enter/create a LaneRate into the system while immediately dedicating a user defined threepart asset combination capable of moving a shipment. When a SpotCapacity is created, a unique Tractor, Trailer and Driver combinationare instantly created along with a Default City Pricing Lane withmatching expiration dates. The Spot Capacity records cannot be editedbut can be deleted while active. A spot capacity will not have a GPS/PDAinstalled.

Spot Capacity Input Table Tractor Number, Equipment Type, TerminalCenter Dates Available for Haul Freight, From date - Time, Untildate-Time Location of Available Equipment, City, State, Zip City Search,Range of Miles subject to search User Select the preferred destinationstate(s) to deliver freight: At least one state must be selected: pulldown menu of states, - otherwise City Search Prices: Rate, Rate/Mile,Flat Rate

Spot Capacity Created Table Crr. Company Name, Address, Phone Number,Member Since Comments: Truck 521 has a Spot Rate for $1.85 per mile fromPilot

The pricing engine for shipment transactions is used whenever capacityrecords are displayed for either a shipper or customer service forshipments in “POSTED” status. When shipments are entered by a shipper,each shipment (one per stop) also allows for a shipper to enteraccessorial codes that may apply for this shipment. An accessorial is aservice or feature that may optionally be provided by the carrier andsuch accessorials represent important aspects of the decision to shipvia a particular carrier. This accessorial pricing is an importantaspect of the pricing structure, as the correct price of the shipmentwill be built based on these add-on charges supported by each carrierthat has available capacity in the immediate proximity.

There are a number of critical areas a price within the system that candetermine the price of a transport order based on the followinghierarchy within a carrier profile to determine the correct pricing tobe used. (A) Core Shipment Price: (1) Customer Specific Pricing: Acarrier can create a specific lane cost and map it to a shipper if theshipper has the carrier listed as a favorite carrier in the shipperprofile. Any shipment entered by a shipper that matches this lane (fromand to postal code) will display the lane price when the carrier has anavailable capacity. (2) Lane Cost from the “From Zip” proximity to“Destination Zip” proximity: A carrier can create a lane cost based onproximity (miles) of a beginning postal code to proximity (miles) of adestination postal code. (3) Lane Rate per mile from Zip proximity toproximity: A carrier can create a lane price per mile cost based onproximity (miles) of a beginning postal code to proximity (miles) of adestination postal code. (4) State to State: If a carrier has beendesignated a “State to State” Dynamic Pricing carrier a “State to State”dynamic price per mile can be created that will generate a dynamiccapacity up to the committed number of concurrent assets perstate-to-state lane. A minimum price for each lane is supported. (5)City Default Pricing: A carrier can create a “Default City Price” lane(per mile) for a proximity to a postal code (mile) for a shipment havinga beginning postal code with a destination anywhere. (6) Default pricefrom carrier profile irrespective of commodity will be used as a stopgap price. The minimum price per shipment will also override any pricethat has been calculated to ensure the price is never lower than the“carrier minimum price.”

Accessorial pricing is also entered into the system by the carrier. Eachcarrier has the ability to manage their accessorial charges to beapplied to all shipments. This also applies to each individual stopwithin a “run” or “Line Haul”. The “new load” or NL action (CarrierSelected) has a link to view all pricing prior to acceptance of theshipment. In order to financially compensate the system administratoroperating the present system, the administrator (a) marks up allstandard carrier pricing by a configurable percentage and (b) bills theshipper directly and (c) pays the carrier typically within 30 days ofreceipt of proof of delivery. Currently an 8% system administration feeis added to each capacity price determined by the pricing engine.

Mileage Calculation for Pricing: The pricing for a non-broker supportedshipment will follow the following rules for a multi-stop truckload. Forevery available capacity on the system that fully qualifies forconsideration in moving a shipment, following rules will be applied. Thestandard pricing algorithm and priorities will be followed using theserules. (1) The origin and the final destination will be used tocalculate the actual miles to billing purposes. (2) Each Stop added tothe original shipment will have the accessorial page appear duringshipment entry to allow the stop charge accessorial indicator to beflagged for the stop. This implies that carriers with accessorial stopcharges configured in their profile will be calculated into the priceshown on the capacity screen. If this is not configured in theaccessorial screen, effectively the price will be set to 0.00 (zero).(3) All other accessorial charges input by the shipper at shipment entrywill also be considered in the price. Each stop will have the ability tomaintain accessorial needs. (4) The carrier profile (see carrierdatabase 12, FIG. 1) contains the number of miles an asset will move atno extra change to pick-up a shipment. If the shipment is farther awaythan the miles-willing-to-go in the profile, the extra mileage will beadded to all pricing calculations using the carrier profile defaultprice per mile value.

Booking Table Shipper Pick Up State Delivery State Equipment Shipper,Run, Sys Reference No., Stops, Pick Up Date, Pick Up, Delivery Date,Delivery Weight, Equipment

Booked Shipments Table Shipper Carrier Run, Reference No., Stops, PickUp Date, Pick Up, Delivery Date, Destination

Shipment Status Table Shipper, Carrier, Run sys. no. PRO, BOL, Activity,Shipper, Shpr. Acct. Owner, Carrier, Crr. Acct Owner Run, BOL, PRO,Stops, Pick Up Date, Pick Up, Delivery Date, Delivery Broker, Details(selectable to additional linked records) Shipment Journal (input/viewlog data), Status

Brokerage Pricing Shipments processed through the brokerage have amanual override to enter the amount a carrier is to be paid and theamount a shipper is required to pay the system administrator.Accessorial charges are included in the brokerage amount so noaccessorial entry is considered or captured.

Salesman Commission Commissions for every shipment have the possibilityof a 4-multiple split. Currently, the following four-way split is beingcaptured: Shipper Member Salesman Account Owner; Carrier Member SalesmanAccount Owner; Shipment Salesman (Shipper) who processed this particularShipment for Spilt Commission; Shipment Salesman (Carrier) who processedthis particular Shipment for Split Commission. Additional commissionableparties may be added for multi-leg/multi-modal transactions.

The system generates many electronic reminders or “action items” tofacilitate the scheduling of shipping assets with transport orders.Action Items are created throughout the process flow based on specificevents. These Actions are programmatically designed to be directed andsent to the appropriate party as an alert or action item requiring adecision to be made by the member user. Although each Action can beviewed by the system administrator, or one of its many customer servicerepresentatives (collectively identified herein as “systemadministrator,” a singular nomenclature for many people), a number ofevents require the system administrator to intervene immediately. ThesePriority action items are part of the Customer Service or systemadministrator module and can be configured to generate emails to thesystem administrator and/or the carrier, shipper or government agency ifpublic safety and welfare is at risk.

Action Items Table (Admin) Shipment ID, Action Code, Date, PriorityComments: Truck 521 has a Spot Rate for $1.85 per mile from Pilot

The system can generate many reports and displays to track the shipmentand to show the efficiency of the scheduling process. The followingtables list Action items codes and list administration reports. The CodeTable shows who gets the electronic communications. See FIG. 5 and theassociated description discussed later which more fully explains thisand other features of the information system and shipping assetassignment or scheduling method.

Advanced Reports Table OPERATIONS: Route Activity, Lane Activity, SpotAnalysis, Accepted Shipments by Date Cancelled Shipments by Date,Company Login Activity SALES: Sales By Date, Sales By Account Owner,Shipper Referrals ACCOUNTING: Monthly Commission, Commission Control,Unresolved Shipments, Unresolved Completed Shipments, Daily AccountingActivity, Freight Payment Entered

Action Item Listing Table Action Item Code Description Shipper CarrierSys. Admin AS Assign Shipper Account X CC Carrier Change X CD CarrierDeclined X CI Carrier Invalid X DA Driver Alert X DD Possible DelayedDelivery X DP Possible Delayed Pickup X DS Damaged Shipment EI EDIInformation X EM EDI-Multiple PO's X EP EDI-PO Does Not Exist X MSMissed Stop X ND New Deliver X NL New Load X PC Phantom Capacity X PSProblem Shipment X S1 Company Profile X S2 Terminal Setup X S3 UserSetup X S4 Driver Setup X S5 Tractor Setup X S6 Trailer Setup X SDDriver Swap Required X TA Tender Accepted X UD Unavailable Driver X X XVT Video Tour X ZP Zip Default Pricing X Action Code Table AS AssignShipper Account: Created whenever a CS (system administratorrepresentative) changes the internal account owner of an account (bothcarrier and shipper) to notify both the id owner and new owner of thechange. The use of the AS action is strictly a system administratorCustomer Service internal function. CC Carrier Change: Created when anEDI or Purchase Order data feed, indicates a shipment/PO that is alreadybeen tendered, receives a change in tender(carrier assignment), thusresulting in 2 carriers still assuming responsibility for moving ashipment. CD Carrier Declined: Created when a “new load” or NL Action isdeclined by a carrier to notify the shipper they cannot actually fulfillthe movement of the shipment. The PDA supports a number of reason codesto explain and log the issue. This will require the ship to re-selectavailable capacity is required. CI Carrier Invalid: EDI information froma Carrier is received that the system is not configured to process. Themapping of the EDI requires a properly mapped SCAC code to the systemadministrator to assure proper information processing. DA Driver Alert:When a Driver presses the “Alarm” button on a GPS device, the DA actionis created along with email notification to Customer Service that thealarm was depressed. This will only be available on devices with analarm button. DD Possible Delayed Delivery: When GPS information isreceived in the system and a shipment tied to this device and tractorhas an expired original delivery date, a DD action is created along withan exception is posted to the shipment itself. DP Possible DelayedPickup: Created when the PDA driver sends a message indicating he isdelayed in picking up the shipment. DS Damaged Shipment: A DS Action iscreated to Customer Service when a shipment is marked asreceived-damaged in order to provide the shipper and carrier resolutionoptions. El EDI Information: Customer Service - system administrator -Internal request to initiate EDI information to a Carrier. EM EDI -Multiple PO's: A&P Custom Purchase Order Interface Action to identifythe possibility of duplicate unique Purchase Orders. EP EDI - PO DoesNot Exist: EDI information from a Carrier is received that contains aPurchase Order Reference that is not currently in the system. MS MissedStop: When GPS information is received in the SYSTEM while a carrier isdelivering a line haul or run and the Delivery Geo Fence is triggeredfor a delivery and a previous stop has not been delivered (oren-route-arrived) an MS action is created. ND New Delivery: The NDaction provides the dispatcher the delivery contact information in orderto schedule the appointment times. Future Available Capacity is createdbased on the delivery appointment window plus 3 hours in order to allowunloading time. NL New Shipment OR New Load: Created when a shipper (orCustomer Service - system administrator) chooses an available capacityto move the shipment, sending the NL action to the Carrier (dispatcher)to allow acceptance or declination of moving the shipment. Onceaccepted, the NL action also provided the dispatcher the pick-up contactinformation In order to schedule the appointment times. This alsocreates the ND and ZP action items. PC Dynamic Capacity: A PC Action iscreated when a capacity is chosen by a shipper for a carrier configuredfor State-to-State pricing and capacity control. Customer Service -system administrator - will provide Virtual Dispatcher support for thecarrier. This is to be used for larger organization in order to createcapacity availability quickly. PS Problem Shipment: A&P Custom PurchaseOrder Interface Action to identify inconsistencies in the data from A&P.S1 Company Profile Video: When a new Carrier signs up in the system theSet-Up action items (S1-S6) are generated to the carrier account thatcan be viewed by all users within the organization until removed. Keycomponents for initial sign-up include: Agreement Read, InsuranceCoverage, Coverage States, Minimum Shipment Charge, Default Price perMileage, Miles a driver/tractor willing to travel at carrier expense,Lane Rates and Pricing, Accessorial Pricing Information S2 TerminalSetup Video: When a new Carrier signs up in the system the Set-Up actionitems (S1-S6) are generated to the carrier account that can be viewed byall users within the organization until removed. Key components forterminal set-up include: Definition of each terminal, satellite, or yardto be used as home base (responsible entity) for each asset of theorganization. S3 User Set-up Video: When a new Carrier signs up in thesystem the Set-Up action items (S1-S6) are generated to the carrieraccount that can be viewed by all users within the organization untilremoved. Key components for user set-up include: Security offunctionality tied to “home base (terminal) for access to hierarchalinformation. Security Access for each User S4 Driver Set-Up Video: Whena new Carrier signs up in the system the Set-Up action items (S1-S6) aregenerated to the carrier account that can be viewed by all users withinthe organization until removed. Key components for driver set-upinclude: Security of functionality tied to “home base (terminal) foraccess to hierarchal information; Type of Driver; Driver Classificationand Expiration. S5 Tractor Set-Up Video: When a new Carrier signs up inthe system the Set-Up action items (S1-S6) are generated to the carrieraccount that can be viewed by all users within the organization untilremoved. Key components for Tractor set-up include: Security offunctionality tied to “home base (terminal) for access to hierarchalinformation; Link GPS device to specific Tractor; Permanent or NonPermanent Trailer attachment; Age of Equipment S6 Trailer Set-Up Video:When a new Carrier signs up in the system the Set-Up action items(S1-S6) are generated to the carrier account that can be viewed by allusers within the organization until removed. Key components for trailerset-up include: Security of functionality tied to “home base (terminal)for access to hierarchal information; Equipment Type SD Driver Swap: ASD action is created when a driver with a PDA sends a “Cant Pickup”.This gives he dispatcher a chance to re-direct another asset utilizingthe Swap functionality of the system. TA Tender Accepted: A TA action iscreated when a pre-tendered carrier (A&P) accepts a shipment withintheir system. UD Unavailable Driver: The UD Action is created when a NLaction is declined to remind carrier (dispatcher) to check on the driverin the event they are currently unavailable. VT Video Tour: The initialSystem Overview for a Carrier to provide the overall navigation andoperability of the system In addition the Set-Up action items (S1-S6)are generated to the carrier account that can be viewed by all userswithin the organization until removed. US Undeliverable Shipment:Created when the PDA driver sends a message indicating he is cannotdeliver a shipment. ZP Zip Default Pricing: The ZP action is used tocreate a price per mile from a postal code (and proximity) for a shortperiod of time. The ZP is created for each shipment (final destination)when the NL action is completed.

GPS: The GPS devices, assigned to a tractor asset, deliver a continualstream of information based on the configuration of the device to ourservers. This information is processed and married with the asset andshipment information within the system to offer real-time locationinformation to determine the following within the system: LocationInformation; Distance Traveled; Predictive Late Arrivals; AvailabilityInformation; Door Open/Close Sensor detection to monitor load or goodson trailer; Climate/Temperature Sensor Detection; J-Buss EngineDiagnostics; Real Time and Historical Web Map Generation; By Shipment;By Asset (Start and End Times); “ALARM” (Red Button) to inform CustomerService—system administrator—of alert with all relevant information(data can feed other emergency response systems).

GPS Geo Fence capability is also available to determine is an Asset hascrossed within a specific proximity of a Geo Fence. Currently, the GeoFence signal is the notification of a delivery arriving near thedelivery destination.

PDA APPLICATION: In order to augment the manual entry and EDI updates ofshipments in the system, the asset management system allows for theassignment of a PDA to a driver and transmits pickup and deliveryinformation to the PDA through the GPS device. The application on thePDA allows a driver to collect signatures and shipping information whileen-route to seamlessly transmit these events and information to thesystem. This process informs the appropriate parties in the eventexceptions occur while building logs for all events.

FIGS. 1-6 diagrammatically show one methodology to carry out the dynamicand predictive information system and method for assigning shippingassets.

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates carrier database 12, shipperdatabase 14 and results or shipment database 16. Carrier database 12includes carrier contact database listing typical information such asname, address, telephone number, contact name, email, etc. Further, thisinformation includes the name, address and contact data for each carrierterminal (Term.) or series of carrier terminals at which a plurality ofshipping assets are available to that carrier. The term “carrier”includes a freight forwarder or drayage company. A carrier controlsshipping assets such as drivers, tractors, trailers and/or otherequipment. A carrier may have more than one terminal at which drivers,tractors and trailers originate. Carrier database 12 also includes adriver database, a tractor database and an equipment or trailerdatabase. The Driver List Table and Add/Edit Driver Table identifiedabove provide additional information on this topic. A tractor and/or atrailer may be equipped with a global positioning system unit or GPSunit, which, when activated, identifies the location of the shippingasset. Further, the GPS system may be linked or coupled physically to apersonal data assistant or PDA. The PDA is operated by the driver andother persons who may physically come in contact with the load or goodssubject to a transport order. The PDA can store electronic shipmentdocuments and further the PDA has an input device enabling the driverand/or the person physically at the load to annotate the electronicshipment documents. The Add/GPS Device Table listed above identifiessome additional information that would be part of the carrier contactdatabase or carrier database 12.

Carrier database 12 also includes route information defining a servicearea or service region serviced by the particular carrier. The routeinformation may also include standard lane information. As is known topersons in the shipping industry, a lane is an often traveled routecovered by a shipping asset. These lanes may be city to city or may bestate to state lanes. Further, carrier database 12 includes spotcapacity and available capacity information records. Also, pricinginformation for the lanes and individual shipments and the accessorialcharges is provided and logged into carrier database 12. The currentlanes and cost tables set forth above are included in the carrierdatabase 12. This information is loaded into carrier database eithermanually or electronically. Electronic data input or EDI is employed insome circumstances.

Shipper database 14 includes a shipper contact database listing name,address, contact information, fax, email and other information necessaryto identify the shipper in the electronic space. Shippers typically havedistribution centers (DC) which either receive goods or which areutilized as distribution points for goods subject to transport. Theshipper database 14 also includes “favorite” carriers as well as keyperformance indicators or KPI profiles which are important to theshipper. The carrier may have special prices for a shipper listing thecarrier as a “favorite.” As discussed above in connection with the KeyPerformance Indicator Table, the shipper may identify whetherperformance is a key factor, transit time or the time to deliver a loador the price. By selecting one of five levels Low (L2) through high (H),the shipper provides a performance index which is used in the results orshipment database 16 to sort carriers subject to a transport order forgoods subject to transport. Price is tie-breaker in the sort, that is,the best price is displayed first. Shipper information is input eitherelectronically or manually.

The results or shipment database 16 handles data relative to eachshipment record or transport order. The shipper typically inputsshipment entries manually or through EDI or other web based input pages.An example of the shipment input is shown above in the Shipment EntryInput Table. A shipper or carrier may request a capacity report. See theinput to database 16. The Capacity Report Table set forth above is anexample of such a request. Users, that is carriers, shippers, orpersonnel from the system administrator, may select various fields shownin the tables to search the database. Further, the carrier may requestinformation in the form of an Asset Inquiry Table discussed above inorder to determine the amount and the activities of his or her shippingassets. In addition, the carrier or the shipper may request a CapacityInquiry and the Available Shipments Table set forth above. This is anexample of this type of input in database 16. The shipper may have afavorite carrier and the shipper may conduct a Carrier Search and theCarrier Search Table set forth above represents this capacity request.Further, a shipper may want to transport a load of goods through arecognized shipping lane. The Lane Inquiry Table set forth above isanother capacity request.

FIG. 1 shows that the results database 16 accepts EDI data, GPS data,manually entered data and PDA data.

The shipper or the carrier may have a capacity request in the form of aspot capacity input as shown in the Spot Capacity Input Table set forthabove. Although typically the system operates with full truck loads, ifless than full truck loads LTL are employed, the less than full truckload LTL Entry Table identified above is also a capacity request. Insome situations, a shipper may want to use a less than full truck loadtransport order. In other situations, the carrier may have excesscapacity in partially full trucks. The less than full truck loads LTLEntry Table represents such capacity request.

The results database 16 retains a record for each transport order orshipment. The Shipment Status Table set forth above lists commoninformation for that shipment status. When a transport order or shipmentis entered in the system, the system searches the database, findsshipping assets or capacities compatible with that transport order ornearly compatible with the transport order and sorts those elementsprimarily based on price or based on key performance indicators (KPI).The first step is the posting or listing of shipping assets whichincludes typically a driver-tractor-trailer combination. One of theparties, either the carrier or the shipper, is in contact with the otherand the carrier has been tendered/offered the task, the shipment recordis pre-booked. When a carrier agrees to accept the shipment (typicallyvia electronic communications), the system classifies the shipmentrecord as booked. The Booking Table set forth above is used by a carrierand/or a shipper. The Booked Shipment Table set forth above showsshipping assets that are particularly dedicated to and assigned loads ortransport orders. Spot capacity is also utilized. The Spot CapacityCreated Table above is identified as an output of database 16.

The results database 16 also tracks the load or goods in transit subjectto the shipment record. The carrier as well as the shipper may requestrecords from the results or shipment database 16. The Carrier TrackingTable set forth above provides an example of this type of inquiry andoutput. Since the shipment record may include GPS data, the GPS DeviceLog Table set forth above identifies some critical data which may betracked in the shipment record. The shipment record also includestracking shipment notes logs. These note logs can be entered by theadministrator of the system and may also be entered under certaincircumstances by the carrier and/or the shipper via web based inputand/or the driver via a PDA. Since the results database 16 monitors theperson who enters the note in the log (time, data, user name), thisenables all parties who are handling or interested in that particularload transit to follow the shipment record. The Shipment Event HistoryTable identified above shows common information relative to the entirehistory of the shipment in transit or the shipment record. As noted inFIG. 1, the carrier, shipper, and government agency and/or customerhaving an interest in the goods is able to see all or part of theshipment. Controls and passwords are used to ensure businessconfidentiality and privacy. Ultimately, reports can be generated byresults database 16. The Advance Reports Table discussed above and theAction Item Table is employed as a communications and reporting tool.The Action Item Table is tied to the action report codes and theseaction report codes are generated in email messages to the carrier,shipper and/or administrators of the system. As used herein, the term“administrator of the system” refers to many people handling theshipment and having reasonable access to the results database 16.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows one process and the step 20 notes that aninput request has been received by the information processing system.This input request may be a shipment entry 21 or may be a capacityrequest 23. Step 22 searches the databases, such as the carrier database12 or the shipper database 14 or the results database 16, and searchesthrough the records in order to determine a number of shipping assetsand capacity available for a particular transport order. The searchcriteria is set forth and discussed above and may include proximity tothe equipment or trailer and the pick up point for the goods in relationto the destination point of the goods subject to transport. The searchcriteria uses a proximal location engine to search the type of equipmentor trailer necessary to carry the goods subject to a specific transportorder. Of course, the states serviced by a particular carrier must beincluded as part of the search criteria. The pick up and destinationdelivery data such as day for the delivery, day of the pickup is used.The drivers' days of service also are important for qualifying carriersshipping assets for selection. Step 24 compiles a capacity list showingproposed or available capacity. Step 26 sorts the list of carriers byprice. Step 28 may accept a shipper selection input 27 and may sort thelist of available capacity and carrier by key performance index. The KeyPerformance Indicator Table set forth above explains this reorganizationby the process in FIG. 2 of results database 16 output.

Step 30 displays the capacity list generated either per price or perKPI. Input step 31 notes that a shipper may input a shipment entry atthat location in the flowchart. The initial request if it represented acapacity request 23 would look generally for capacity for shippingassets in the system. It should be noted that the search request screensfor the system are highly flexible. For example, the Capacity ReportTable may be activated based by state, by zip code, by a range or milesaround a particular zip code, by equipment type (refrigerator truck, 45foot truck, 53 foot truck, etc.) and the search may be activated byselecting the search key as noted above in the Capacity Report Table.The Available Shipments Table discussed above operates in the similarway. The user, whether a carrier or a shipper on a client computer,would select a pickup state, a delivery state, select one or more or alltypes of equipment (trailers) and the select search. The resultsdatabase 16 would search through carrier database 12 and generate theavailable shipments table showing entries of carriers, stops, pickupdate, pickup, delivery date, delivery, weight and equipment. In step 32,the system posts or links a particular capacity for a particular carrierwith a particular shipment entry or transport order. Step 34 engagessome type of communications, generally an electronic communications,between the selected carrier and the shipper seeking to utilize thatcapacity. Step 36 pre-books the shipping asset or capacity with theshipment order when the carrier has accepted the transport order. Step38 recognizes that the specific carrier and the shipper submitting thetransport order must agree. If not, the communications routine is againactivated or an error code is generated for the system operator orsystem administrator. In step 40, after the shipper and carrier haveaccepted the transport order, the shipment record in “booked” and thecarrier shipping asset is removed such that the system cannot reassignthat shipping asset for the period of time subject to the transportorder.

FIG. 3 diagrammatically shows the available capacity routine. Step 42accesses the carrier asset database 12. Input step 41 recognizes thatthe shipper has input a “select asset” data request into the system.Step 44 electronically and automatically (without human interaction)joins equipment such as a trailer with a driver and tractor. This is thethree-way combination discussed earlier. Optionally, the driver andtrailer may be permanently fixed or associated with each other such thatwhenever a certain shipping asset is selected (a trailer) a particulardesignated driver follows that driver. Step 46 accepts input from theshipper as to the details of the transport request as noted by inputstep 47. Input step 47 has the shipper input transport parameters suchas the pickup day, pickup time or range, delivery day and time or range.Step 48 accepts input from step 49 wherein the carrier inputs spotcapacity data. Spot capacity data is typically a truck potentiallysitting empty at a certain, non-standard location. Locations in thepresent system are identified by zip codes and an algorithm is utilizedto locate the proximal zip codes about a target zip code. Spot capacitytypically represents a shipping asset in a non-normal position. In step48, the system typically identifies geographic limits for the shippingasset or available capacity. However, the carrier can override or resetthose geographic limits as necessary. These geographic limits can be setin miles such as radius miles from a particular zip code or a particularzip code block or may be a state or city or other regional basis. Step50 accepts input 51, carrier price override, which is optional by thecarrier. In any event, step 50 identifies pricing for the particularshipment route. This pricing may be preset per mile or may be systemgenerated or may be manually input. Pricing algorithms are discussedabove. For example, in a spot capacity, the carrier may wish to charge areduced amount of money, therefore may manually enter the spot price forthat unused shipping asset. In other situations, the carrier may inputstandard pricing to ship goods throughout a particular state. Step 52registers this information into the carrier database 12 and particularlyin the route or capacity database. As explained earlier, a singulardatabase may be utilized rather than multiple databases as discussedherein. The efficiency of the information processing system and themethod may be improved or altered by the system designer with manydatabases, a single database or many indices.

FIG. 4 shows a lane capacity routine. In step 60, the carrier accessesthe shipping asset database 12. Step 62 recognizes that the carrierdedicates certain units (shipping assets) at a carrier terminal to ashipping lane. A shipping lane is recognized as an often traveled or aparticularly desired route between cities or between zip codes orbetween states. These shipping lanes are assigned pricing models such asa price per mile or a flat rate. Pricing models are discussed above. Theorigination is the carrier terminal or a particular carrier terminal outof many carrier terminals or user-defined origin. The destination may bea zip code, a mileage range about a certain destination zip code or maybe a state. In the present invention, the carrier will provide shippingassets for a lane under the most common operation conditions. If thecarrier cannot provide a shipping asset necessary to fill a transportorder for a pre-set lane, there may be adverse economic consequences forthe carrier reflected in KPI or handling charges. Step 64 permits thecarrier to input a pickup data parameters such as location, days ofoperation and time and this data is calendared. Step 66 identifies thedestination and calendar days as part of the lane. Step 68 identifiesthe destination zip code, the geographic zone about the destination,city region or state. Step 70 recognizes that the carrier must assign apricing schedule or model to the lane or series of lanes. Step 72registers the lane capacity in the route capacity database as part ofthe carrier database 12. Typically, the utilization of lane capacityemploys a specific driver and a specific tractor but a non specifictrailer. In other words, drivers are identified by identificationnumbers and tractors are identified by identification numbers andtrailers are identified by identification numbers. In the pre-bookedoperation of the lane capacity, a non specific trailer is assigned sinceit is assumed that the carrier will make such equipment, such astrailer, available. The presence of a driver and a tractor is a specificasset that usually is assigned to a lane once a shipper pre-bookscertain shipping assets in a shipping lane.

FIG. 5 shows the administration or broker routine. Brokers assist in thecompletion of a transport order. Step 74 recognizes that a certainaction event as been detected. The action items listed in the tableabove show certain action events that cause communications messages sentto the administrator as compared to the shipper and the carrier. Forexample, a carrier change or CC action is electronically communicated tothe shipper whereas a new load NL action is electronically sent to thecarrier. The unavailable driver UD action results in electronicnotification going to the shipper, carrier as well as the administrator.Step 76 recognizes that these action codes are communicated to aparticular party such as certain personnel in the system administration,the carrier or the shipper. Step 78 logs the event into the shipmentrecord in the results database 16. Step 80 logs in any communication byany party and changes the record notes. Input step 81 notes that aparticular party such as a person who is part of the systemadministration, a carrier or shipper may input that information. Step 82logs the event and generates a report as necessary. EDI and GPSelectronic information is input in step 33 and is automatically loggedinto and applied to the shipment record in results database 16. When thedriver utilizes a PDA, electronic documentation information in inputstep 85 is applied and in step 84 the system logs in this electronicdata and lists that data as part of the shipment record. This data mayinclude a PDF file with signatures showing the acceptance of the goodssubject to the transport order, the delivery of the goods and signaturesof the warehouseman and the driver. Input step 87 recognizes that agovernment agency or other type of regulatory body as requested an inputinto the system and search step 86 searches the carrier database 12, theshipper data base 14 and/or the results or shipment database 16. Reportsare outputted as necessary from steps 82, 84 and 86. Decision step 90determines whether a shipment is delivered. If not, the system simplyrepeats and continues to gather the information and generate actionreports as necessary. If the shipment has been delivered, step 92 logsthe delivery event and sends a communication to the shipper.Particularly, the system will bill the shipper. Step 94 is a paymentstep indicating that the carrier is paid. Preferably, carriers are paidwithin 24 hours of the delivery. This increases the participation of thecarrier into the electronic capacity allocation system. Step 96 logs thepayment into the shipment database and updates the carrier's performancehistory. This history is used to grade and sort carriers' availablecapacity as discussed above. See discussion of key criteria forsearching the database above.

FIG. 6 diagrammatically illustrates one example of the distributedcomputer system within which the information processing system andmethod discussed herein can be employed. The diagram also shows oneembodiment of an overall communications system to link the computerhardware system for the present invention. Internet or othercommunications network 1200 links a server computer 1210 having memory1211 to the Internet. Databases 12, 14, 16 reside on server 1210 (whichmay be multiple servers). Further, shippers 1 and 2 use client computers1212 and 1214. Government or other agencies use client computer 1216.Carriers 1 and 2 use client computers 1218, 1220. Client computers1212-1220 communicate with server 1210 (operated and maintained by thesystem administrator) via Internet or communications network 1200 todownload information, request information regarding capacity, shipments,etc. The use of web-based input and output protocol and structure makesthe computer program system independent of hardware demands. GPS units 1and 2 are mounted in or on trucks/trailers/tractors/loads 1222 and 1224and the GPS systems communicate with GPS satellite 1226 (representingmultiple satellites and communications systems) and with GPS trackersystem 1228. GPS tracker system 1228 is coupled to the Internet orcommunications network 1200 and information relative to the location ofshipping assets 1222, 1224 is uploaded into the server 1210 maintainingthe information system described earlier herein. The GPS on the trailermay include temperature sensors, data acquisition detectors and othersensors. This data may be sent with the GPS location data to the server.Further, shipping asset 1230 has a GPS unit linked to a personalelectronic device or PDA. The GPS unit communicates with GPS tracker andthe PDA communicates with wireless network 1232. Data from the PDA,which may include GPS data, is sent via wireless network 1232 to server1210 via communications network 1200. The GPS data and load sensing datamay be communicated independently with respect to the PDA electronicdocument data. It should be noted that communications network 1200 maybe a wireless network using cellular communications rather than theInternet which is considered a “wired” network. The means ofcommunications is not critical to portions of the present inventionhowever the fact that some communications occurs between server 1210,GPS units, GPS-PDA units and various shipper and carrier clientcomputers is important. The communications channels can change but theact of communicating is important.

FIG. 7 shows a large system diagram for the present invention. Carrierprofile 110 includes information from drivers, tractors, trailers orequipment, rates and routes. Some drivers are permanently linked totractors as described above. In such situations, when a driver or atrailer of a particular type is assigned to a shipment record in aposting sense, prior to pre-booking and booking, the driver is alwayspermanently associated with the trailer. This information is appliedinto the asset management database 100. From the shipper's side, theshipper profile 112 includes origin data such as the location of goodssubject to a particular transport order, destination data, that is,where the goods should be delivered, as well as private fleet and otherproduct requirements. Product requirement simply is a particular type ofequipment or trailer necessary for certain loads such as a refrigeratortrailer. The system is flexible enough such that certain shippers mayschedule their private fleets or privately owned shipping assets. Theseshippers, in this situation, act as carrier and input information in thesame manner discussed above and utilize the system as a scheduling androuting program. The shippers submit a new shipment or transit order 114into the system. The information processing system then conducts asearch and a sort routine to generate available capacity as shown infunction block 116. The carrier may supply spot capacity informationinto functional available capacity block 116. Further, satellites obtainin GPS data from trucks and/or GPS data from PDAs (the GPS data, beingmechanically coupled to the PDA, is also fed into the available capacityfunction 116). The output from available capacity function 116 is abooking function 118 wherein a particular shipper has agreed to utilizea particular carrier and contract for shipping assets from a particularcarrier. Step 120 recognizes that a tracking function is provided by thesystem via the satellite and GPS and PDA inputs. The output fromtracking function provides complete visibility electronically to thecarrier owning and operating the shipping asset as well as the shipperhaving the shipment request. Further, government agencies may beinterested in reviewing the shipment data. Additionally, the driver isprovided with this tracking information via the PDA. Function step 122indicates that various parties are billed and function step 124generates reports to the shipper, the carrier, the government and thesystem operator as necessary.

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are larger system diagrams showing data flow for oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A shows on the left hand side additional information for thecarrier. The carrier may be defined by a carrier profile which listscontact data for the carrier and shipping broker data and agent data.Further, the carrier signs, in the illustrated embodiment, a contractwith the system operator or administrator of the asset managementprogram 100 such that the price of any shipment handled by the assetmanager system is increased by an incremental configurable amount(currently 8% to 10%) to cover the cost of the system and generate aprofit. The carrier also provides accessorial data and information andpricing information and insurance information as well as particulardetails regarding equipment and trailers and terminals where theshipping assets are located as well as the contact administrators forthe terminals. On the right hand side of FIG. 8A, the shipperinformation includes shipper profile and the shipper signs an agreementwith the system administrator. The system administrator providesadministrative support as shown in function block 212 (carrier side) andfunction block 214 (shipper side). The shipper company profile includesshipper contact administrator, office location, distribution centers,store locations, personal fleet data subject to the shipping assetallocation as well as insurance. KPI inputs are also noted in FIG. 8A. Ashipper inputs a new shipment record 220 (top of FIG. 8A) and alsoincludes some route information as function block 222.

FIG. 8B is a flowchart running from asset management function block 100to available shipment or posting function 114. On the left side, ashipping asset profile is built including type of equipment, availablegeographic data such as by zip code, data and time and unavailable dateand time information, rate information. Additionally, spot rate capacitymay be input into the system. On the right hand side, displays are shownto the carrier and the shipper as per interest level and security level.Changes are noted, the system administrator and the carrier and theshipper are permitted to edit certain details, such as to add stops andadd a pickup detail. Function block 116 represents the availablecapacity routine. This routine is accessible by either the carrier orthe shipper. Functional element 218 first matches a trailer to the newshipment entry 220, and function block 120 matches a driver to atractor. Pricing is matched to the transport order in function block222. Function block 224 represents an electronic communication betweenan interested carrier and an interested shipper wherein the carrier andthe shipper accept a new load, NL action code.

Leading to FIG. 8C, the administrator solves any open issues withrespect to the matching of the transport order and the shipping assetallocation in function block 240 and communicates via carrier actionitems in function block 242 and shipper action items in function block244. Email messages and alerts and instant messaging services may beemployed. On the carrier side, function block 246 is a new load NLpending, function block 248 either enables the carrier to accept ordecline the commitment of shipping assets and function block 250confirms the appointment. These lead to archive function block 252,report pickup 254, report in transit, in house function 256 and reportPOD and signature function block 258. GPS tracking and PDA control datain function block 260 is integrated with functions246,248,250,252,254,256 and 258. Completed function block 262 leads toarchive function block 264. A hard copy is applied toshippers/consignee/carrier freight bill/settlement function block 280.The freight bill settlement function block 280 leads to accountingfunction block 282 and ultimately to electronic communications datafunction block 284.

On the shipper side, pending new load NL function block 266 is subjectto display in the view/select capacity function block 268. This leads toactive function block 270 wherein the item is posted and pre-booked.Function block 272 represents that the load is in transit and functionblock 274 is POD. Function block 276 indicates completion of deliveryand function block 277 is an archive step. Reports 278 are availablefrom both the carrier and the action side.

The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changeswithin the scope and spirit of the present invention.

1. A method for electronically assigning shipping assets to goodssubject to transport orders, said shipping assets including a pluralityof drivers, tractors and trailers from a plurality of carriers and saidgoods subject to a plurality of said transport orders from a pluralityof shippers, comprising: maintaining a database with data representingrespective shipping assets associated with corresponding carriers someof which are lane route carriers, each lane carrier having at least oneterminal from which respective shipping assets originate and route lanesbetween a corresponding lane carrier terminal and a correspondingtermination location and a respective pricing schedule; electronicallyaccepting a specific transport order for goods from one shipper, saidspecific transport order having ship from origin and a ship todestination geographically proximal to respective terminals andtermination locations for a sub-plurality of carriers; electronicallyjoining, for said specific transport order and for each carrier of saidsub-plurality of carriers, a respective combination of a driver, atractor and a trailer able to transport said goods; electronicallyselecting, sorting and displaying by price, carriers within saidsub-plurality of carriers based upon a plurality of search criteriaincluding close proximity of corresponding terminals and terminationlocations to ship origin and ship destination, and pick-up and deliveryconstraints; in conjunction with an electronic communication with one ofthe selected carriers and said one shipper, booking and electronicallylogging said one selected carrier and the associated joineddriver-tractor-trailer combination to fill said transport order for saidgoods.
 2. A method for electronically assigning shipping assets asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said carriers are commercially independent ofeach other.
 3. A method for electronically assigning shipping assets asclaimed in claim 1 wherein a further sub-plurality of drivers arepermanently assigned to a respective further sub-plurality of tractors,which are designated as permanently joined driver-tractor combinations,and wherein electronically selecting said sub-plurality of carriersincludes a search for the close proximity permanently joineddriver-tractor combinations to said ship origin.
 4. A method forelectronically assigning shipping assets as claimed in claim 1 whereinelectronically joining occurs automatically without user intervention.5. A method for electronically assigning shipping assets as claimed inclaim 11 wherein said electronically selecting, sorting and displayingincludes a user activated sort by historic performance rating whichincludes one or both of historic on-time delivery data and adversedelivery event data.
 6. A method for electronically assigning shippingassets as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electronic communicationincludes email notification or instant messaging service notification.7. A method for electronically assigning shipping assets as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said selecting, sorting and display results in a postingof specific shipping assets for respective carriers and the methodincludes multiple postings for the same specific shipping asset.
 8. Amethod for electronically assigning shipping assets as claimed in claim1 wherein electronically joining joins a specific driver and a specifictractor but joins a non-specific trailer for said sub-plurality ofcarriers.
 9. A method for electronically assigning shipping assets asclaimed in claim 2 wherein a further sub-plurality of drivers arepermanently assigned to a respective further sub-plurality of tractors,which are designated as permanently joined driver-tractor combinations,and wherein electronically selecting said sub-plurality of carriersincludes a search for the close proximity permanently joineddriver-tractor combinations to said ship origin.
 10. A method forelectronically assigning shipping assets as claimed in claim 9 whereinelectronically joining occurs automatically without user intervention.11. A method for electronically assigning shipping assets as claimed inclaim 10 wherein said electronically selecting, sorting and displayingincludes a user activated sort by historic performance rating whichincludes one or both of historic on-time delivery data and adversedelivery event data.
 12. A method for electronically assigning shippingassets as claimed in claim 11 wherein said electronic communicationincludes email notification or instant messaging service notification.13. A method for electronically assigning shipping assets as claimed inclaim 12 wherein said selecting, sorting and display results in aposting of specific shipping assets for respective carriers and themethod includes multiple postings for the same specific shipping asset.14. A method for electronically assigning shipping assets as claimed inclaim 13 wherein electronically joining joins a specific driver and aspecific tractor but joins a non-specific trailer for said sub-pluralityof carriers.
 15. A method for electronically assigning shipping assetsto goods subject to transport orders, said shipping assets including aplurality of drivers, tractors and trailers from a plurality of carriersand said goods subject to a plurality of said transport orders from aplurality of shippers, some drivers and tractors and trailers havingglobal positioning units which locate said tractor and trailer shippingassets and personal data assistants which electronically display andcapture electronic shipping documents and data relative to saidelectronic shipping documents, the method comprising: maintaining adatabase with data representing respective shipping assets associatedwith corresponding carriers, and data relative to each carrier having atleast one terminal from which respective shipping assets originate andtransport service areas and a respective pricing schedule, and data fromglobal positioning units of drivers and tractors and trailers and datafrom personal data assistants which electronically document saidelectronic shipping documents; electronically accepting a specifictransport order for goods from one shipper, said specific transportorder having ship from origin and a ship to destination geographicallyproximal to respective service areas for a sub-plurality of carriers;electronically joining, for said specific transport order and for eachcarrier of said sub-plurality of carriers, a respective combination of adriver, a tractor and a trailer able to transport said goods;electronically selecting, sorting and displaying by price, carrierswithin said sub-plurality of carriers based upon proximity ofcorresponding terminals to ship origin and pick-up and deliveryconstraints; in conjunction with an electronic communication with one ofthe selected and displayed carriers and said one shipper, booking andelectronically logging said one selected carrier and the associatedjoined driver-tractor-trailer combination to fill said transport orderfor said goods; and electronically accepting data from the joineddriver-tractor-trailer combination for the one selected carrier andcorresponding global positioning unit and personal data assistant toelectronically document transit of the fulfillment of said transportorder for said goods.
 16. A method for electronically assigning shippingassets as claimed in claim 15 wherein said carriers are commerciallyindependent of each other.
 17. A method for electronically assigningshipping assets as claimed in claim 15 wherein said global positioningunit is coupled to a respective personal data assistant and the coupledglobal positioning unit-personal data assistant is removably mounted ina respective tractor.
 18. A method for electronically assigning shippingassets as claimed in claim 15 wherein electronically joining occursautomatically without user intervention.
 19. A method for electronicallyassigning shipping assets as claimed in claim 15 wherein saidelectronically selecting, sorting and displaying includes a useractivated sort by historic performance rating which includes one or bothof historic on-time delivery data and adverse delivery event data.
 20. Amethod for electronically assigning shipping assets as claimed in claim15 wherein said electronic communication includes email notification orinstant messaging service notification.
 21. A method for electronicallyassigning shipping assets as claimed in claim 15 wherein said selecting,sorting and display results in a posting of specific shipping assets forrespective carriers and the method includes multiple postings for thesame specific shipping asset.
 22. A method for electronically assigningshipping assets as claimed in claim 16 wherein said global positioningunit is coupled to a respective personal data assistant and the coupledglobal positioning unit-personal data assistant is removably mounted ina respective tractor.
 23. A method for electronically assigning shippingassets as claimed in claim 22 wherein electronically joining occursautomatically without user intervention.
 24. A method for electronicallyassigning shipping assets as claimed in claim 23 wherein saidelectronically selecting, sorting and displaying includes a useractivated sort by historic performance rating which includes one or bothof historic on-time delivery data and adverse delivery event data.
 25. Amethod for electronically assigning shipping assets as claimed in claim24 wherein said electronic communication includes email notification orinstant messaging service notification.
 26. A method for electronicallyassigning shipping assets as claimed in claim 25 wherein said selecting,sorting and display results in a posting of specific shipping assets forrespective carriers and the method includes multiple postings for thesame specific shipping asset.
 27. An information processing system forelectronically assigning shipping assets to goods subject to transportorders, said shipping assets including a plurality of drivers, tractorsand trailers from a plurality of carriers and said goods subject to aplurality of said transport orders from a plurality of shippers,comprising: a central computer linked, via a communications network, toa plurality of user computers, said corresponding user computers underthe control of said respective carriers of said plurality of carriersand respective shippers of said plurality of shippers; a database onsaid central computer with data representing respective shipping assetsassociated with corresponding carriers some of which are lane routecarriers, each lane carrier having at least one terminal from whichrespective shipping assets originate and route lanes between acorresponding lane carrier terminal and a corresponding terminationlocation and a respective pricing schedule, said database containingdata representing respective terminals, route lanes and terminationlocations and pricing schedules for corresponding carriers; means forelectronically accepting a specific transport order for goods from arespective use computer for one shipper, said specific transport orderhaving ship from origin and a ship to destination geographicallyproximal to respective terminals and termination locations for asub-plurality of carriers; at said central computer, a search engine forlocating in said database and means for electronically joining, for saidspecific transport order and within said sub-plurality of carriers, arespective combination of a driver, a tractor and a trailer able totransport said goods subject to said transport order; a further searchengine at said central computer electronically selecting and sorting byprice, carriers within said sub-plurality of carriers based upon closeproximity of corresponding terminals and termination locations to shiporigin and ship destination, and pick-up and delivery constraints; meansfor displaying to said users via said central computer and usercomputers over said communications network the selected and sortedsub-plurality of carriers and respective pricing for respective carriersin said sub-plurality of carriers; and an electronic communicationsmeans, operable with a user computer for a selected carrier of saidsub-plurality of carriers and a user computer for said one shipper withsaid specific transport order, for booking and electronically loggingsaid one selected carrier and the associated joineddriver-tractor-trailer combination to fill said transport order for saidgoods.
 28. An information processing system for electronically assigningshipping assets as claimed in claim 27 wherein said carriers arecommercially independent of each other.
 29. An information processingsystem for electronically assigning shipping assets as claimed in claim27 wherein said database includes data representing historic performancefor said shippers including historic on-time delivery data and adversedelivery event data and said further search engine sorts carriers withinsaid sub-plurality of carriers based upon one or the other or both saidhistoric on-time delivery data and adverse delivery event data.
 30. Aninformation processing system for electronically assigning shippingassets as claimed in claim 27 wherein said electronic communicationmeans includes an email system or an instant messaging system.
 31. Aninformation processing system for electronically assigning shippingassets as claimed in claim 28 wherein said database includes datarepresenting historic performance for said shippers including historicon-time delivery data and adverse delivery event data and said furthersearch engine sorts carriers within said sub-plurality of carriers basedupon one or the other or both said historic on-time delivery data andadverse delivery event data.
 32. An information processing system forelectronically assigning shipping assets as claimed in claim 31 whereinsaid electronic communication means includes an email system or aninstant messaging system.
 33. An information processing system forelectronically assigning shipping assets to goods subject to transportorders, said shipping assets including a plurality of drivers, tractorsand trailers from a plurality of carriers and said goods subject to aplurality of said transport orders from a plurality of shippers, somedrivers and tractors and trailers having global positioning units whichlocate said tractor and trailer shipping assets and personal dataassistants which electronically display and capture electronic shippingdocuments and data relative to said electronic shipping documents, thesystem comprising: a central computer linked, via a communicationsnetwork, to a plurality of user computers, said corresponding usercomputers under the control of said respective carriers of saidplurality of carriers and respective shippers of said plurality ofshippers; said central computer further linked, via a communicationsnetwork, to the plurality of global positioning units and personal dataassistants such that location data and electronic shipping document datais shared with said central computer and with said user computers; adatabase on said central computer with data representing respectiveshipping assets associated with corresponding carriers, and datarelative to each carrier having at least one terminal from whichrespective shipping assets originate and transport service areas and arespective pricing schedule, and data from global positioning units ofdrivers and tractors and trailers and data from personal data assistantswhich electronically documents said electronic shipping documents; meansfor electronically accepting a specific transport order for goods fromone shipper, said specific transport order having ship from origin and aship to destination geographically proximal to respective service areasfor a sub-plurality of carriers; at said central computer, a searchengine for locating in said database and means for electronicallyjoining, for said specific transport order and for carriers in saidsub-plurality of carriers, a respective combination of a driver, atractor and a trailer able to transport said goods; a further searchengine at said central computer electronically selecting and sorting byprice, carriers within said sub-plurality of carriers based upon closeproximity of corresponding terminals and termination locations to shiporigin and ship destination, and pick-up and delivery constraints; meansfor displaying to said users via said central computer and usercomputers over said communications network the selected and sortedsub-plurality of carriers and respective pricing for respective carriersin said sub-plurality of carriers; and an electronic communicationsmeans, operable with a user computer for a selected carrier of saidsub-plurality of carriers and a user computer for said one shipper withsaid specific transport order, for booking and electronically loggingsaid one selected carrier and the associated joineddriver-tractor-trailer combination to fill said transport order for saidgoods; and means for electronically accepting data from the joineddriver-tractor-trailer combination for the one selected carrier andcorresponding global positioning unit and personal data assistant toelectronically document transit of the fulfillment of said transportorder for said goods.
 34. An information processing system forelectronically assigning shipping assets as claimed in claim 33 whereinsaid carriers are commercially independent of each other.
 35. Aninformation processing system for electronically assigning shippingassets as claimed in claim 33 wherein said global positioning unit iscoupled to a respective personal data assistant and the coupled globalpositioning unit-personal data assistant is removably mounted in arespective tractor.
 36. An information processing system forelectronically assigning shipping assets as claimed in claim 33 whereinsaid database includes data representing historic performance for saidshippers including historic on-time delivery data and adverse deliveryevent data and said further search engine sorts carriers within saidsub-plurality of carriers based upon one or the other or both saidhistoric on-time delivery data and adverse delivery event data.
 37. Aninformation processing system for electronically assigning shippingassets as claimed in claim 33 wherein said electronic communicationmeans includes an email system or an instant messaging system.